Ryan Gosling Turned Down ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Role

Ryan Gosling and Shailene Woodley reportedly turned down “Fifty Shades of Grey.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, they are just two of the stars who declined playing Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele in the big screen-adaptation of E.L. James’ best-selling erotic book.

Gosling purportedly turned down the part early on in the casting process because he wasn’t interested in the role. Another actor, Garrett Hedlund, bowed out because he “couldn’t connect with the character.”

Woodley was interested in playing Anastasia; however, a scheduling conflict tied up with her promotional duties for upcoming film “Divergent” thwarted her plans to accept the role.

Alicia Vikander, Imogen Poots and Elizabeth Olsen were also considered for the part.

In the end, director Sam Taylor-Johnson chose “Sons of Anarchy” star Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson – daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson – to play the wealthy man and college student who start a bondage relationship.

Many fans are displeased with the casting, and an online petition was created on Change.org to find new leads for the upcoming film. It opens in theaters in August 2014.